Polystachya

Hooker

Exot. Fl. 2: plate 103. 1824.

Etymology: Greek poly, many, and stachys, spike, alluding to many branchlets of the inflorescence in some species
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 26. Treatment on page 617. Mentioned on page 495.

Herbs epiphytic, lithophytic, or terrestrial. Roots velamentous. Stems slender or pseudobulbous, clustered or distant along rhizome. Leaves 1–several, conduplicate, thin [fleshy], leathery. Inflorescences terminal, simple or paniculate racemes with ± secund branches; peduncle enclosed by scarious sheaths. Flowers few to many, mostly not resupinate, generally small; dorsal sepal free; lateral sepals adnate to column foot forming mentum; petals smaller than sepals, free; lip 3-lobed [simple], adnate to and articulate with column foot, forming part of mentum; disc usually callose, pubescent; column semiterete, short; foot distinct; stigmas confluent, transverse under rostellum, viscidium ovate to elliptic; anther terminal, incumbent, operculate; pollinia 4, globose or ellipsoid, hard, waxy, attached to single short stipe. Fruits capsules.

Distribution

Tropical and subtropical regions, especially rich in Africa, s Fla., Mexico, West Indies, Central America, South America, Asia, Australia, Pacific Islands.

Discussion

Species 150 (1 in the flora).

Selected References

None.

... more about "Polystachya"
James D. Ackerman +
Hooker +
Tropical and subtropical regions +, especially rich in Africa +, s Fla. +, Mexico +, West Indies +, Central America +, South America +, Asia +, Australia +  and Pacific Islands. +
Greek poly, many, and stachys, spike, alluding to many branchlets of the inflorescence in some species +
Polystachya +
Orchidaceae (tribe Epidendreae) subtribe Polystachynae +